Ahafo Ano South West DCE Abubakar Sedik dies after official meetings in Kumasi

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ahafo Ano South West in the Ashanti Region, Abubakar Sedik, has died suddenly after attending official engagements in Kumasi.

Sedik reportedly passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026, after returning to Mankranso following a series of meetings involving Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga.

Final official engagements in Kumasi

The late DCE was among officials who met Minister Mahama Ayariga at the Kejetia Phase II project site as part of stakeholder engagements concerning the completion of the project.

The group subsequently held discussions with trader unions at the Kumasi Central Market. The meeting ended at about 5:00 p.m., after which Sedik and some other DCEs proceeded to the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council for another engagement with the minister.

Sudden illness after returning to Mankranso

Reports indicate that Sedik fell ill after returning to the district capital.

According to reports, he complained of body pains and was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he died.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, described the death as a sudden loss following a brief illness and extended condolences to Sedik’s family, colleagues, constituents and the people of the Ashanti Region.

Some reports have referred to a possible heart-related condition, but official medical confirmation of the precise cause of death had not been made public at the time of reporting.

District plunged into mourning

News of the DCE’s death has sent shockwaves through Ahafo Ano South West, with residents, political supporters and local officials expressing grief.

The Ahafo Ano South West District Assembly described Sedik as a hardworking public servant who served the people of the district with commitment and a good heart.

Residents and NDC supporters reportedly gathered at the party office in Mankranso after news of his passing emerged.

From parliamentary candidate to DCE

Before becoming DCE, Abubakar Sedik served as the NDC parliamentary candidate for Ahafo Ano South West in the 2024 elections.

He was subsequently appointed to lead the district assembly and had been involved in a number of development initiatives in the area.

His recent public activities included work connected to the proposed 24-hour economy market at Mankranso, a project that had generated public discussion in the district.

His death comes amid recent public attention

Sedik had recently been in the news over controversy surrounding plans for the proposed 24-hour economy market and the future of a school facility at Mankranso.

He had denied allegations that he was spearheading an attempt to demolish the school facility, with recent reports indicating that he had participated in a site inspection concerning the project shortly before his death.

Ashanti Region mourns

The sudden death of the serving DCE has left the Ahafo Ano South West District without one of its key local government officials and has triggered an outpouring of condolences.

Further details concerning funeral arrangements and burial rites are expected to be announced by his family and the relevant authorities.

For now, the district, colleagues and residents are mourning a public official whose final known day involved official duties in Kumasi before his sudden illness and death later that evening.